Washington, D.C. - June 28, 2000 - At today's Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) workshop, Gerard van Breen, WorldWide Retail Exchange
(WWRE) operating committee member and Royal Ahold senior vice
president, said business-to-business (B2B) electronic marketplaces
will foster competition and benefit consumers.
Van Breen participated in a panel discussion, "Buyer-Oriented
Perspectives," as part of the FTC's two-day public workshop on
B2B electronic marketplaces.
"The WWRE is committed to the benefits of robust competition
and innovation made possible through new technology and Internet
commerce," van Breen said. "The Exchange was constructed to enhance
competition and reduce market inefficiencies and transaction costs.
As a result, consumers will reap the benefits of more and better
goods, at lower prices."
This week's FTC workshop, "Competition Policy in the World of
B2B Electronic Marketplaces," is examining issues surrounding
the emerging Internet B2B market. Van Breen addressed the advantages
of an open, global marketplace created through Internet protocol
technology, including economic, structural and consumer benefits.
The WWRE is a Web-based B2B exchange designed to facilitate and
simplify trading between retailers and more than 100,000 suppliers,
partners and distributors. The consortium, consisting of leading
retailers from Asia, Europe and the United States, is open to
all suppliers and retailers who wish to use it. The WWRE was founded
by retailers in the food, drug, textiles, and general merchandise
businesses.
WorldWide Retail Exchange, LLC. All rights reserved.